It was very sad to learn of the demise of Dr. Gamini Attygalle – an outstanding gentleman and medical practitioner with sterling qualities.
He hailed from the aristocratic Attygalle family. His elder brother was the late Deshamanya General Don Sepala Attygalle, former Army Commander and Defence Secretary.
Dr. Gamini Attygalle was educated at Wesley College, Colombo. At school he excelled in studies, sports and extra-curricular activities. As a doctor, he played for the tennis team of the Health Department Sports Club.
He obtained his MBBS (Ceylon) from the Ceylon Medical College, Colombo, and specialised as an anaesthetist in England (Fellow of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons). He served as a medical practitioner in several provincial hospitals and at the Colombo General Hospital. He treated patients very kindly, which is a very rare quality. He served on the panel of doctors that performed the first kidney transplant in Sri Lanka.
He married Kalyani, daughter of a well-known family of Sedawatte Walawwe, Kelaniya, namely Don Walter Wijewardene and Mrs. Anula Wijesinghe Wijewardene. Their son Dhammika Attygalle is a group director of the Upali Group of companies founded by his illustrious uncle, the late Upali Phillip Wijewardene.
The late Gamini Attygalle also rendered great social, cultural and religious service to the community. His son Dhammika is the Chief Basnayake Nilame of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya. His grandson Duminda will captain the Royal College rugby team this season.
May he be born among us until he achieves Nibbana in his journey in Sansara.
Annicavata Sankhara, Uppada Vaya Dhammino
Uppajjitva Nirujjhanti – Tesam Vupasamo Sukko.
Transcient alas are all Component things
Subject are they to birth – and they decay
Having gained birth to death, the life flux swings
Bliss dawns when unrest dies away.
Capt L.B. Lanka (Wilbawe)
Jayaratne
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